Asymmetric stress concentrator for a dispenser package

ABSTRACT

A dispenser package comprising a relatively stiff flat sheet including a tough, high barrier layer secured to at least one surface thereof, a flexible sheet secured to one side of the relatively stiff sheet to form an enclosed flexible pouch or chamber adjacent the relatively stiff sheet, a cut pattern or fault line or other fault area scored or otherwise formed in the relatively stiff sheet generally along the transverse center line thereof, and at least one asymmetric protrusion displacing at least a portion of the fault line or fault pattern of the relatively stiff sheet, said protrusion preferably comprising an asymmetrical substantially semi- or split pyramidal shape. In preferred embodiments, a duplex or multiplex dispenser package is provided, including at least two adjacent but separate pouches or chambers secured to the relatively stiff sheet, and at least two substantially semi- or split pyramidally shaped, stress concentrating protrusions, at least one of said protrusions located above the along the inner edge of each separate pouch or chamber. Alternatively, the duplex or multiplex package is formed by interconnecting one or more individual dispenser packages.

RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PATENTS

The dispenser package structures disclosed in this application representimprovements of or improved additions to the structures disclosed inRedmond U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,640, issued Oct. 19, 1976, Redmond et al.U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,574 issued Jan. 15, 1985, and Redmond U.S. Pat. No.4,611,715 issued Sep. 16, 1986, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dispenser package for flowableproducts and the like and, more specifically, to a new configuration andstructure of a stress concentrator for a dispenser package whichcontains and dispenses a quantity of flowable product normally calledfor in a single use.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various attempts have heretofore been made to provide a dispenserpackage into which a flowable product may be packaged in the quantitynormally required for a single use, and from which such flowablematerial may be dispensed.

The Redmond U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,640, (hereinafter the 640 patent)discloses a dispenser package which represents a marked improvement overprior package structures in that it accomplishes efficient dispensing ofa predetermined quantity of the contents with a one handed motion andwithout presenting the opening difficulties previously associated withopening by removal of a cover or tearing of an envelope or pouch.

The Redmond et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,574 discloses a dispenser packagesimilar to that of the Redmond 640 patent but includes the use of atleast one stress concentrating protrusion member displacing at least aportion of the fault line or fault pattern out of the plane of therelatively stiff member. The preferred embodiment of the protrusionmember there disclosed has a substantially pyramidal shape whichdisplaces the fault across the apex thereof and is substantiallysymmetrical with respect to both the fault line.

While the aforesaid structures of the 574 patent represent a markedimprovement over both the 640 patented structure and all previouslyknown dispenser package structures, it has been found that the use of agenerally symmetrically positioned stress concentrating protrusionmember may suffer certain drawbacks under certain conditions.

Thus, it has been found that the relative (i) height of the symmetricalprotrusion member, (ii) thickness of the sheet material, (iii) desiredopening size and (iv) included angle between the symmetrical sides ofthe stress concentrator along a line normal to the fault line areinterdependent--i.e., as the desired opening size becomes larger, theheight of the protrusion member necessarily becomes greater and thewalls therefore become thinner and the aforesaid included angle is andto an axis or line normal to the fault line. reduced. Consequently, asthe desired opening size becomes larger, the thickness of the sheetmaterial must be increased so that the walls of the protrusion memberretain sufficient thickness to retain barrier qualities along the faultline, particularly at its peak, as well as to retain enough strength soas not to collapse, but rupture, upon bending of the relatively stiffflat sheet into a "V" shape in order to dispense the contents of thepackage.

It is also not always possible to simply decrease the height of theprotrusion member as the width of the opening becomes greater since italso has been found that, if too shallow for a given width, theprotrusion member will then flatten and lose its stress concentratingability, resulting in an inability to rupture to open the package uponbending of the package into the "V" shape.

A further drawback of the required increase in height of the protrusionmember as the opening size increases is that it may result in a lessenedability to compactly store and ship the packages or make such storageand shipment more difficult.

Finally, there are certain products which are mixed or otherwisecombined at the time of use but which must be kept isolated prior touse, such as epoxy mixes and dental products, and other products whichit is desirable to store separately and mix or combine at the time ofuse, such as salad dressings (e.g., oil and vinegar), peanut butter andjelly, etc. For these products, it would be desirable to connect two ormore isolated dispenser package structures as disclosed in the 574patent in side-by-side relationship with a protrusion member locatedabove each pouch or chamber. However, it has been found that in such apackage configuration the generally symmetrical protrusion memberdisclosed in the 574 patent suffers the further drawback that theresultant openings may be spread farther apart than may be desirable forconveniently combining the products upon rupture of the protrusionmembers.

3. Objects of the Invention

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new andimproved dispenser package for flowable products.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improveddispenser package for flowable products which overcomes the aforesaiddrawbacks of the generally symmetrical protrusion members disclosed inthe aforesaid 574 patent.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved stressconcentrating means for rupturing tough materials or combinationsthereof in a dispenser package upon their being bent into a "V" shapeand which permits use of a thinner, and therefore more econimcal,relatively stiff flat sheet material.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improveddispenser package for flowable products in which the stressconcentrating protrusion member is asymmetrical about a line or axisnormal to the fault line or fault pattern.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improveddispenser package which may be combined into a duplex or multiplexpackage for flowable products which require isolation prior to use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improveddispenser package which simultaneously dispenses two or more discreteflowable products which are isolated from each other prior to beingdispensed.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved duplex or multiplex dispenser package which improves priordispenser packages in the containment of at least two discrete flowablesubstances which are isolated from each other until the time ofapplication, by providing closely spaced asymmetric protrusion memberswhich displace the fault line or fault pattern out of the plane of therelatively stiff sheet member and which rupture the fault upon bendingto produce at least two separate but closely spaced openings throughwhich the aforesaid flowable substances are separately andsimultaneously dispensed.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved dispenser package which improves prior dispenser packages forthe containment of flowable products by forming the stress concentratingprotrusion member in the shape of a substantially semi- or splitpyramidal configuration which displaces the fault line or fault patternout of the plane of the relatively stiff sheet member and is positionedso as to be substantially symmetrical to the fault but asymmetrical to aline or axis normal to the fault.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved duplex or multiplex dispenser package which accuratelydispenses unequal quantities of two or more flowable products.

Objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in part herein andin part will be obvious therefrom, or may be learned by practice withthe invention, the same being realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists of the novel parts, constructions, arrangements,combinations, steps and improvements herein shown and described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, the present invention is directed to a new andimproved dispenser package for flowable products which may be opened byone hand in a manner to cause controlled rupturing of various packagingmaterials, ranging from low cost, easily ruptured materials such aspolystyrene to tough, high barrier web materials, such as a single layeror laminates or co-extrusions containing such plastics as polyester,polypropylene or nylon, and which can reduce costs of the packagingmaterials as well as provide an improved duplex or multiplex multiplechamber package.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thedispenser package comprises a relatively stiff flat sheet having atough, high barrier layer secured to at least one surface thereof, aflexible sheet secured to said one surface of the relatively stiff sheetto form an enclosed pouch adjacent the relatively stiff side, a cutpattern or fault line or other fault area scored or otherwise formed inthe relatively stiff sheet generally along the transverse center linethereof, and at least one stress concentrating protrusion memberdisplacing at least a portion of the fault line or fault pattern of therelatively stiff sheet, said protrusion member preferably comprising asubstantially semi- or split pyramidal shape.

Advantageously, the aforesaid preferred semi- or split pyramidal shapeis positioned asymmetrically to a line perpendicular to the fault line,and includes a substantially vertical wall extending in a directionperpendicular to the fault line and projecting upwardly from therelatively stiff flat sheet to the apex of the substantially semi- orsplit pyramid. It has been found that the aforesaid substantially semi-or split pyramidal configuration, as well as the various alternativesemi- or split configurations hereinafter described, can have certainsurprising and unexpected advantages over the various substantiallysymmetrical protrusion configurations disclosed in the aforesaid 574patent. Thus, it has been surprisingly found that the semi- or splitprotrusion configurations provide adequate strength to rupture even highstrength barrier materials without collapse of the protrusion, and cando so utilizing even slightly thinner gauge materials than would berequired by a symmetrically shaped protrusion member for a comparablysized opening, providing savings on the order of approximately 10% inmaterial costs.

While I do not wish to predicate this result on any one particulartheory, I believe the substantially vertical wall serves as a columnarsupport element which prevents the angled side walls of the protrusionmembers from collapsing even where the protrusion walls are slightlythinner than in the substantially symmetrical configurations.

While the opening formed upon rupture of the substantially semi- orsplit protrusion configurations of the present invention is, for thesame height and included wall angle, smaller than the opening formed bya substantially symmetrical configuration, this can be advantageous whenthe product being dispensed has low viscosity, e.g., rubbing alcohol,soy sauce, etc. Thus, where the desired opening size is small, thedimensions of a substantially symmetrical protrusion member becomeextremely small, approximately one-half the size of the protrusionmember of the present invention, requiring more precision and accuracyin their manufacture, with attendant additional expense.

In accordance with a still more preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a duplex or multiplex dispenser package is provided whichcomprises at least two closely adjacent separately enclosed pouches orchambers, each chamber having one side facing the relatively stiff flatsheet, and at least two stress concentrating asymmetrical protrusionmembers, each positioned above an enclosed pouch or chamber and eachdisplacing at least a portion of the fault line or fault pattern out ofthe plane of the relatively stiff flat sheet in a direction away fromits associated enclosed chamber. Advantageously, each asymmetricalprotrusion member comprises a substantially semi- or split pyramidalshape positioned substantially symmetrical to the fault line or patternbut asymmetrical to a line perpendicular to the fault, with thesubstantially vertical wall thereof extending in a directionperpendicular to the fault and projecting upwardly from the relativelystiff flat sheet to the apex of the semi- or split pyramidal shape.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the multiple chamber arrangementof the latter embodiment provides a dispenser package which may containat least two discrete flowable substances which are isolated from eachother prior to use but which are opened and dispensed essentiallysimultaneously from the two separate openings formed by rupture of theprotrusion members upon bending of the package into a "V" shape.

Advantageously, and preferably, the aforesaid two substantially semi- orsplit pyramidal protrusion members are positioned such that thesubstantially vertical walls thereof are in closely spaced facingrelationship. Unexpectedly, it has been found that such a duplex ormultiple chamber package can be constructed so that, upon rupture ofsaid protrusion members, the separately contained flowable substancesare dispensed in either a single stream or in two closely spaced streamsthat are easily directed into contact with each other.

As used herein, the terms "fault line" or "fault pattern" are intendedto encompass the aforesaid alternatives of a cut pattern, a singlestraight line extending across a portion or all of the relatively stiffflat sheet or a fault area formed by weakening means other than by ascored continuous line.

In each of the curvilinear and straight-edged elongated substantiallypyramidal shapes described, the shorter axis of the pyramidalconfiguration preferably is in the same line as the fault line or faultpattern.

It will be apparent from the foregoing general description that theobjects of the invention specifically enumerated herein are accomplishedby the invention as here embodied.

Thus in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention, ithas been found that a dispenser package constructed of high strength,high quality barrier material may be opened by rupture of anasymmetrical stress concentrating protrusion member and can beconstructed more economically utilizing thinner gauge materials thanthose utilized to construct prior dispenser packages havingsubstantially symmetrical protrusion members. In addition, it has beenfound that asymmetrical stress concentrating protrusion members enableduplex or multiple chamber dispenser packages to be more advantageouslyconstructed such that the separately dispensed flowable products aremore easily contacted or otherwise used.

It will be understood that the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of theinvention but are not restrictive thereof.

The accompanying drawings referred to herein and constituting a parthereof, illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a dispenser package constructed inaccordance with the present invention in its pre-opened condition, theview showing one generally elongated substantially semi- or splitpyramidal shaped stress concentrating protrusion member extending fromthe relatively stiff side thereof, the protrusion member having itsshort axis positioned along a fault line;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the dispenser package shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of the dispenser package shown inFIG. 1 illustrating the package after bending and rupture at the faultline;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of a duplex dispenser packageconstructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the view showing the package in its pre-opened condition;

FIG. 5 is a view in end elevation of the duplex dispenser package shownin FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the duplex dispenser package shown inFIG. 4, this view illustrating the package after bending and rupture ofeach of the substantially semi- or split pyramidally shaped stressconcentrating protrusion members;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are top plan views illustrating various dispenserpackage constructions in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 7Aillustrating a three-chambered multiplex package and, FIGS. 7B and 7Cillustrating duplex packages having discrete compartments of differentcapacities so as to dispense unequal quantities of different products;and

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are fragmentary schematic views of alternativeembodiments of the asymmetric shape of the stress concentratingprotrusion member of the present invention, FIG. 8A illustrating anelongated semi- or split pyramidal protrusion formed so that its longaxis is on the fault line, FIG. 8B illustrating a semi- or split domedshape, and FIG. 8C illustrating a semi- or split conical shape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the accompanyingdrawings, there is illustrated a dispenser package constructed inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention,indicated generally by reference numeral 10.

As here embodied, package 10 includes a relatively stiff and relativelyflat sheet 12 and flexible sheet 18 suitably secured to the outermargins of one face of flat sheet 12, flexible sheet 18 forming at leastone pouch or chamber adjacent the aforesaid one face of flat sheet 12for containing a flowable substance.

Advantageously, and as here preferably embodied, a layer of a suitablesealant/vapor impervious barrier material 14 is suitably integrallybonded to flat sheet 12 on the side thereof which faces flexible sheet18. Flexible sheet 18, advantageously formed by conventional means, suchas vacuum forming, pressure forming, mechanical forming or combinationsthereof, is likewise suitably integrally bonded to sheet 12 or laminate12, 14, as the case may be.

The bonds between relatively stiff flat sheet 12, sealant/barriermaterial 14 and flexible side 18 also may be formed by conventionalmeans known to persons of ordinary skill in the packaging art, such aswelding, heat sealing, or adhesive or cohesive bonding, the particularbonding method selected depending upon the particular properties of thematerials used and the flowable substance(s) to be contained.

Advantageously, and as preferably embodied, relatively stiff flat sheet12 is made of polystyrene or polyester or a copolymer thereof, andbarrier 14 is made of a suitable sealant/vapor impervious barriermaterial comprising saran and foil laminate, or comprising a laminate offoil and vinyl, or foil alone, depending upon the nature of the contentsto be contained. A particularly tough, high barrier constructioncomprises saran laminated on each side with polyethylene (sold by DowChemical Co. under the name "Saranex") as the barrier sheet 14, in turnlaminated onto polystyrene or polyester, forming the relatively stiffflat sheet 12.

It will be understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that thebonds formed between materials 12, 14 and 18 can be obtained by theconventional means previously described, again depending upon the natureof the flowable substance being contained. These and other equivalentmaterials and bonding systems are described in the aforementioned 640and 574 patents, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the structure of FIGS. 1-3 formsan enclosed pouch or chamber 22 between flexible side 18 and relativelystiff flat sheet 12, 14 in which the flowable substance is contained andfrom which the flowable substance is dispensed. Advantageously, as bestseen in FIG. 4, the enclosed pouch or chamber 22 comprises a pair oflaterally spaced pockets 22A, 22B interconnected by a shallow duct orchannel, more fully described in the aforesaid Redmond 715 patent.

Relatively stiff flat sheet 12 of dispenser package 10 is provided witha fault line 24, preferably scored on the outer surface thereof facingaway from enclosed pouch 22. As previously mentioned, it will beunderstood that the present invention is not limited to a linear faultpattern, but rather, the term fault line is intended to encompassvarious fault patterns or weakened areas which may be employed to obtainparticular desired results.

In accordance with the invention, dispenser package 10 is provided withone or more asymmetrical stress concentrating protrusion members 26formed along fault line 24, projecting outwardly from the outer surfaceof relatively stiff flat sheet 12 or laminated sheet 12,14. As herepreferably embodied, protrusion 26 is formed in the shape of asubstantially semi- or split pyramidal configuration positioned so thatfault line 24 is displaced across apex 26A of protrusion 26. Protrusion26 preferably has a substantially vertical wall 27 extending in adirection perpendicular to fault line 24 and projecting upwardly fromthe relatively stiff flat sheet 12 to apex 26A. It will be understoodfrom the foregoing, and as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, that protrusion26 is symmetrical to fault 24 but asymmetrical to a line or axis normalto fault 24.

It will be seen from the foregoing, and as described in more detail inthe aforesaid Redmond et al 574 patent, that fault line 24 acts as aguide for controlled rupture of relatively stiff flat sheet 12 aspackage 10 is bent into a "V" shape about fault 24. As relatively stiffflat sheet 12 is bent into a "V" shaped configuration, stress isconcentrated or focused at apex 26A of protrusion 26 by leverageattributable to the distance of apex 26A from the bending axis extendingalong the surface of relatively stiff flat sheet 12. As previouslydiscussed, asymmetrical substantially semi- or split pyramidalprotrusion 26 unexpectedly focuses bending stress at the apex 26A in amanner similar to the symmetrical protrusion shapes disclosed in the 574patent and yet, believed to be due to the columnar effect of thevertical wall 27, unexpectedly withstands a greater force than asubstantially symmetrical shape, such that sheet 12 and laminate layer14 rupture to form an exit aperture 30.

Concurrent with the rupture of apex 26A and protrusion 26, fault 24 alsoruptures. However, as pointed out in the aforesaid Redmond et al 574patent, here too, when material 14 is formed of a tough, high barrierconstruction, the stress exerted along fault line 24 during rupture isnot sufficient to rupture this barrier material, with the result that itserves to hinge stiff sheet 12 together except where it has beenruptured by a protrusion 26. Thus, as the two side halves 10A, 10B ofpackage 10 are forced toward a parallel and overlapping position, theside halves 10A, 10B cooperate with flexible sheet 18 forming pouch orchamber 22 to force the contained flowable substance through exitaperture 30. Since the barrier material 14 has not ruptured along faultline 24 except along protrusion 26, exit aperture 30 is the only openingfrom which the contained flowable substance can exit.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the localized openingcreated at exit aperture 30 develops a highly directed stream of theflowable substance as the rigid side halves 10A, 10B act cooperativelywith flexible side 18 to expel the contents from pouch 22.

It will be understood that the same effect as just described may beobtained by forming the fault line 24 substantially only acrossprotrusion 26. Alternatively, fault line 24 may extend beyond protrusion26 but not to the edges of the package.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 4-6 of the accompanyingdrawings, there-is shown a preferred embodiment of the dispenser packageconstruction of FIGS. 1-3, indicated generally by reference numeral 50.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, package 50 advantageously may comprise arelatively stiff substantially flat laminated sealant/barrier sheet12',14', a flexible sheet 18' secured to one face of the sheet 12',14',a pair of opposed, closely spaced substantially semi- or splitpyramidally shaped stress concentrating protrusion members 26',26", anda fault line or pattern 24', all as previously described. As herepreferably embodied, however, flexible sheet 18 is formed into twoseparately enclosed, closely adjacent pouches or chambers 22',22", tothereby form a "duplex" dispenser package. Advantageously, each pouch orchamber 22',22" comprises a pair of laterally spaced pockets 22A',22B'and 22A",22B" interconnected by a shallow duct or channel, also in themanner previously described. As will be seen, protrusion member 26' ispositioned above pouch 22' and member 26" is positioned above pouch 22".Advantageously, and as illustrated, protrusion members 26',26" arepositioned with their respective substantially vertical wall elements27',27" in opposed facing relationship closely adjacent the inner edgesof their respective pouches 22',22", thereby enabling the protrusionmembers to be spaced apart only a very small distance, on the order of1/16" or less.

It will be understood from the foregoing, and as illustrated in FIG. 6,that duplex dispenser package 50 is capable of both (i) containing twoseparate and distinct products isolated from each other prior to useand, (ii) essentially simultaneously opening, dispensing and mixing orcombining the products upon bending the ends of the package into a "V"shape and rupturing protrusions 26',26" to form openings 30',30",respectively.

It will be understood that the construction of relatively stiff flatsheet 12 or 12' in either of the aforedescribed embodiments may beadvantageous even when no extra sealant or barrier material 14 or 14' isrequired, and such construction is within the scope of the presentinvention. As previously described in connection with the use of alocalized fault line, such a construction may be particularly desirablein dispensing low viscosity flowable substances such as water, cream oralcohol in a highly directed stream from an essentially driplesspackage. Such flowable substances do not require a specialsealant/barrier layer and yet are appropriate substances for a dispenserhaving the other advantages of the present invention.

While the duplex package 50 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is constructed from asingle relatively stiff and substantially flat sheet 12',14' and asingle flexible sheet 18' formed into the two pouches 22',22", it willbe understand that a duplex package such as 50, or a multiplex packagehaving three or more of such isolated compartments, shown at 55 in FIG.7A, also may be constructed by connecting individual dispenser packagessuch as shown in FIGS. 1-3, with an asymmetrical stress concentratingprotrusion member located along each interior edge of each isolatedcompartment, as shown in FIG. 7A at 26',26",26"', 26"". It will be seenthat the stress concentrating protrusion arrangement of FIG. 7A has thefurther advantage of providing two double streams of directed flow uponrupture.

FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate still further advantageous arrangements for aduplex dispenser package constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. Thus, in FIG. 7B there is shown a duplex package 60 havingtwo separate compartments of equal length but unequal width, and in FIG.7C there is illustrated a package 65 having two separate compartments ofequal width but unequal length. It will be seen that these embodimentsof the invention have the further advantage that unequal quantities ofdifferent products may be separately stored and yet may be dispensedboth accurately and essentially simultaneously.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 8A through 8C of theaccompanying drawings, there are illustrated alternative embodiments forthe shape of the stress concentrating protrusion member for a dispenserpackage constructed in accordance with the invention.

In FIG. 8A there is shown an elongated substantially semi- or splitpyramidal protrusion 56 similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, exceptpositioned so that fault line 24 bisects protrusion 56 along its longaxis. FIG. 8B shows a substantially semi- or split rounded dome-likeprotrusion 66. Fault line 24 bisects semi- or split domed protrusion 66along its curved sides and across the center of its top surface 66A.FIG. 8C shows a substantially semi- or split conical protrusion 76bisected by fault line 24.

As previously discussed, it will be seen that the structures of each ofFIGS. 8A-8C concentrate the rupturing forces substantially at a pointfor maximum stress and rupturability and each includes a substantiallyvertical wall providing a columnar support element providing increasedstrength for a given wall thickness.

It will be understood that in each of the disclosed embodiments of theasymmetrical stress concentrating protrusion member of the presentinvention it is preferred that the columnar support element comprise anessentially vertical wall for greatest strength. However, it will beunderstood that the invention also encompasses other asymmetricalconfiguratious, e.g., where the included angle at the base of the wallforming one half of the protrusion is somewhere between 180° and theincluded angle of the wall forming the other half of the protrusionmember. It will also be understood that the asymmetrical wall may beeither a flat vertical wall, a wall comprised of two or more flat faces,a curvilinear wall or a combination of curvilinear and flat faces. Wherethe asymmetrical wall is curvilinear or a combination of curvilinear andflat faces, then the distance of the furthest point of the asymmetricalwall along the fault line is less than the distance to the furthestpoint of the opposing wall forming the other half of the protrusionmember.

To the extent not already indicated, it also will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that any one of the various specificembodiments herein described and illustrated may be further modified toincorporate features shown in other of the specific embodiments, asdesired.

The invention in its broader aspects therefore is not limited to thespecific embodiments herein shown and described but departures may bemade therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims, withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention and without sacrificingits chief advantages.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing package for a flowable substance,said package including a relatively stiff substantially flat sheet, aflexible sheet secured to one face of said relatively stiffsubstantially flat sheet, said flexible sheet forming a pouch adjacentsaid one face of said relatively stiff substantially flat sheet forcontaining a flowable substance, said relatively stiff substantiallyflat sheet having a fault line of predetermined length, protrusion meansdisplacing at least a portion of said fault line out of the plane ofsaid relatively stiff substantially flat sheet in a direction away fromsaid one face for substantially maximally increasing the stress in saidrelatively stiff substantially flat sheet at the displaced portion ofsaid fault line, whereby upon bending said relatively stiffsubstantially flat sheet into a "V" about an axis extending along saidfault line so that the arms of said "V" encapture said pouch, said faultline initially ruptures at the locus of said protrusion means to createat least one opening through which said flowable substance is dispensedin a directed flow, said protrusion means having a configuration whichis substantially symmetrical on either side of said fault line,substantially asymmetrical on either side of an axis normal to saidfault line and in which the point of greatest displacement is locatedsubstantially on said fault line.
 2. A dispensing package as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said relatively stiff flat sheet includes a foilbarrier material.
 3. A dispensing package as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid relatively stiff flat sheet includes a plastic barrier material. 4.A dispensing package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said relativelystiff flat sheet includes both foil and plastic barrier materials.
 5. Adispensing package as claimed in claim 1, including a plurality of saidprotrusion means spaced apart along said fault line to create aplurality of openings along said fault line upon bending said relativelystiff substantially flat sheet into said "V".
 6. A dispensing package asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said protrusion means has a peakedcross-sectional shape along said fault line.
 7. A dispensing package asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible sheet forms at least twoseparately enclosed side-by-side pouches adjacent said one face of saidrelatively stiff substantially flat sheet, and including at least two ofsaid protrusion means, one of which is positioned over each of saidpouches, each of said protrusion means displacing at least a portion ofsaid fault line out of the plane of said relatively stiff substantiallyflat sheet in a direction away from its associated pouch.
 8. Adispensing package as claimed in claim 6, wherein said protrusion meanshas a substantially vertical wall extending perpendicular to said faultline and projecting upwardly from said relatively stiff substantiallyflat sheet to the apex of said protrusion means.
 9. A dispensing packageas claimed in claim 7, wherein said protrusion members each comprise asubstantially semi-pyramidal configuration having a substantiallyvertical wall extending perpendicular to said fault line and projectingupwardly from said relatively stiff substantially flat sheet to the apexthereof, and said protrusion members are positioned with theirrespective vertical walls in closely spaced opposed facing relationship.10. A dispensing package as claimed in claim 8, wherein said protrusionmeans comprises a substantially semi-pyramidal configuration and saidfault line is displaced from said relatively stiff flat sheet materialacross the apex thereof.
 11. A dispensing package as claimed in claim 8,wherein said protrusion means comprises a substantially semi-conicalconfiguration and said fault line substantially bisects said conicalconfiguration.
 12. A dispensing package as claimed in claim 8, whereinsaid protrusion means comprises a substantially semi-domed configurationand said fault pattern is displaced from said relatively stiff flatsheet material across the apex thereof.
 13. A dispensing package asclaimed in claim 9, wherein said substantially semi-pyramidalconfiguration has axes of unequal length and the shorter axis extendssubstantially along said fault line.
 14. A dispensing package as claimedin claim 9, wherein said substantially semi-pyramidal configuration hasaxes of unequal length, and the longer axis extends substantially alongsaid fault line. .Iadd.
 15. A package comprising:a lid made of a stiffmaterial and having a fault line at the center of a first surfacethereof which is adapted to open upon bending said lid along said faultline; container means made of a flexible material fixed to a secondsurface of said lid located on the reverse side of said first surface,said container means including a first pocket on one side of said faultline and a second pocket on the other side of said fault line; each ofsaid first and second pockets having a respective communication portionwhich communicates with a different portion of said fault line of saidlid; said communication portion of said first pocket not communicatingwith any portion of said second pocket and said communication portion ofsaid second pocket nor communicating with any portion of said firstpocket, whereby said first and second pockets are isolated from eachother. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 16. A package as claimed in claim 15, whereinportions on said fault line communicating with said communicationportions of said pockets are structured so as to be opened by bendingsaid lid. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A package as claimed in claim 15, whereinportions of said lid communicating with said communication portions ofsaid pockets are formed as pyramidal projections along said fault line..Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A package as claimed in claim 15, wherein portionsof said lid communicating with said communication portions of saidpockets are formed as circular truncated conical projections along saidfault line. .Iaddend.